The past week had me busy with work, home and constantly asking myself if I still wanted to do this - if I could do it, you know, this Answers For Gen Z thing. It was also the same week, I started getting lots of reviews and social media notifications about the pod and newsletter. Y'all really don't know how these help me and give me some kind of boost and I'm grateful for those voice messages and random slides into my dms. S/o to Afripods, Greg Salx, Harrison, Esohe, my immaculate Contributors, and Great. Words couldn't describe how your actions this past week gave me a shimmer of hope to keep moving🚀
So, this show is something a secondary school classmate of mine is so obsessed with. The times where we talk about movies and share our insights, he's either talking about how I need to watch it or referencing some scene from it. I started Euphoria March 27th and I got the hype. This show!!! After finishing both seasons in less than two weeks, I was cathartic and reminded once again about the reason(s) I started AFGZ.
Euphoria definitely doesn't shy away from exploring the darker sides of adolescence and young adulthood, and its impact on pop culture can not be overemphasised as it's been sparking discussions about the issues that are often left unspoken since it first aired on HBO in June 2019 (sorry, it took me that long to get on the train). The show explored controversial topics such as teenage drug use and addiction, mental health and the stigma around mental illness, masculinity, sexuality and gender identity, bullying and toxic relationships, physical and emotional abuse, body image and eating disorders.
I think these are all really important topics that could be the focus of some really interesting and impactful episodes of the podcast and I feel Answers for Gen Z is a perfect place for those discussions to continue, especially from our perspectives as Africans! What do you think? 🤔
Fun fact: HBO's Euphoria is inspired by the old Israeli show of the same name and plot and yes, I'll also check that out hopefully before HBO decides what they're going to do with season 3😒
the gist.
You may be wondering why I decided to write about Euphoria. Well, for one, it was one of the shows that kept me sane during the exam season of one of the wildest semesters since I got into this uni. Don't get me wrong, it had its fun moments; I mean, the “rivers of wealth” I had, my department's dinner that featured my podcast on the red carpet, my first bonfire party, cool new friendships, solidifying old friendships and meeting interesting people. However, I can't deny that during the other half of the semester, things started going crazy.
Fire outbreaks during exam season?? An April 2nd April Fool's prank on my faculty by the Class Rep that our exam had been moved up to morning. Trust that the whole thing was as dramatic as when Nigerians started getting news of secret stash houses of COVID-19 palliatives. Then there was the mist of uncertainty in the air about our exams. It's something that comes with the period but it was different this past semester, or maybe it's just me. Getting turned down, hurt twice and got jealous over a- (which is a nasty feeling I never thought I could experience in such context btw), and the one that shook my colleagues and I; the death of one of our very own final year students just three weeks before he could say bye bye to a journey he began about six years ago.
I didn't know him much but that didn't prevent me from sympathising with those who did during his procession/memorial march. Life indeed is fleeting. We live and we die but it's crucial to hold on to the good moments and how we should be glad that he had the honour of living. That's the greatest honour of all. He's lived and will continue to live on in the hearts of those he's imparted, those whose stories he's a part of, those who love him and those who hated him.
Honestly, I'm just glad it's over and looking forward to the start of my clinicals as a medlab student. It's funny how I was in 100lvl in March last year. I'm taking hold of every opportunity and prioritising two things. Let's see…
Since y'all refused to leave a review or let me know if it was camp or trash in the comments last issue, I'm doing it again and adding another section!
music.
All week, these jams made work (and life) less draining, inserting me in a whole different world I think you'd love too!
Three songs off this album had me being thankful for my boy(s), on clouds of “no stress” and prompted me to keep pushing! Ma Boy, Ogogoro and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
podcasts you should listen to.
This isn't a section that would be frequent in every release sha. If you still don't know what podcasts are about, I wrote an issue specifically for you here.
Sergio Talks Podcast features Sergio alongside his buddies and Co-hosts Kharl and Matt, both from Netflix's Love Is Blind sharing their unique and different opinions about relationships, life, men and women. I honestly think guys need to listen to this show especially because every episode I listened to felt like I was just chilling and having honest convos with my guys🥃
Chuksy has a podcast! If you listened or still listen to the radio in Benin City, then you should know Chuksy from prime Vibes FM. I really don't know where he is now though but I got to listen to the first episode of his podcast and it's very good. Asides from his wonderful voice and amazing manner of hosting/anchoring, I love how open he was and how comfortable he made his guest feel. They had a lot to talk about Gen Z (and Millennials) you should check out!
Movies.
News
Henry Cavill is expecting his first child with girlfriend Natalie Viscuso.
Recommendations
I gave this movie a solid 6. Whilst ot saw the return of Okey Bakassi and was worthwhile, I feel it didn't hold enough water. Some scenes I found were unnecessary and some subplots I felt, they could've built on. One nit-pick I have however is their failure to deliver in the action sequences and stunts as they were something they had me looking forward to but ended up being something that could pass as performances in a stage play to say the least. The fight choreography was meh too. In the end, it was hilarious and heartwarming, showing the importance of family, honesty and miracle alert😎
Personal growth plan moving forward?
Welp, in the spirit of taking opportunities and putting myself out there, I'm gonna start a small phase. I see a girl I like, I talk to her and rizz her up! Maybe I'll do some stuff off a romcom book or movie to sweep her off her feet like that one Port Harcourt guy with the lame-ass tic tac toe game on a sheet of paper play. Just for fun ofc.
If you believe what you just read, na you sabi😂
However, I'm taking AFGZ seriously and carrying it on my head henceforth. You should too. Y'all are amazing people and the truth is that people of our generation are going through so much and we would rather keep to ourselves and deal with our inner demons ourselves than open up and have honest conversations about it that may help relieve us from pain or give us enlightenment. I try to make it easier in this first season by asking the questions and leaving you to think of your own answers, providing solutions for yourself and others like you!
My podcast is to let you know that you're not alone. I'm gonna try to make it as safe and open-minded as possible. This is Answers for Gen Z. The realest podcast for gen zs in the country but a lot of gen zs still don't know and I believe you could help me change that. Listen, read, share, post on your social media.
Don't forget, we're accepting creative volunteers. Have a skill you think can help with the vision? Send us an email via answersforgenz@gmail.com to be a part of the Answers For Gen Z Content Heads🚀🧡
Thank you.
Here's something to help guide your thoughts about today's issue. Tell me in the comments or reply via email;
What do you think about the show Euphoria and do you think we could explore its topics on the AFGZ podcast?
What's your plans for personal growth or for the new semester?
What crazy thing happened to you or around you in school last semester?
Anything interesting happened to you this week? Please share.
Thank you for reading. I'll respond to all your comments and replies for sure. Have a wonderful weekend🙏🏾
P.S. Whatever I've shared here, don't come asking me questions about it in real life abeg. Ask them here if you must or just rest.
Haven't watched Euphoria, but based on your recommendation I'll definitely give it a go.
This is awesome bro. The way you described your semester, it pulled me in, I could imagine everything in HD 😂.